News
The Nautilus Maldives announces 2024 collaboration with Ananda in the Himalayas

The Nautilus, a five-star ultra-luxury private island hideaway in the Maldives, will host two senior practitioners from the world’s most renowned holistic wellness retreat, Ananda in the Himalayas from 16th to 26th August 2024. Combining Ananda’s specialist Ayurvedic knowledge with The Nautilus’s timeless hospitality offering, this residency will provide the ultimate restorative wellness experience.
Located on the Baa Atoll in the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Ocean, The Nautilus is renowned for its completely bespoke experience, tailoring holidays to individual needs and providing an unscripted and timeless offering. With this, the Ananda treatments will be available to guests at any time of day and will be provided in the overwater Solasta Spa’s glass-floored private treatment pavilions or in the comfort of guest’s houses and residences.
The two practitioners, Mr Sandeep Dhamada and Ms Krishna Karki, are some of Ananda’s most accomplished and expert holistic therapists. As a follow-up to these speciality treatments, The Nautilus guests will benefit from an online consultation with an Ayurvedic physician so that the holistic benefits of the treatments will continue after their stay at The Nautilus. Ananda’s gourmet Ayurvedic cuisine is available to consume anywhere on the island, incorporating anti-inflammatory properties, with fundamental food tastes carefully combined with macronutrients.
With just 26 beach and oceanside houses and residences and an extensive range of facilities and spa amenities, the private island is surrounded by the natural beauty of Hanifaru Bay, one of the largest manta feeding hotspots in the world, with white sandy beaches, pristine waters and coral reefs. This extraordinary, tranquil location combined with an unmatched ultra-luxury five-star experience make The Nautilus the perfect private island resort to relax, reset and recharge.
Ananda in the Himalayas is one of the world’s leading luxury wellness retreats, aligning with the rejuvenating spirit of The Nautilus. Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, the birthplace of Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation, Ananda integrates these ancient practices with therapy and Oriental medicine. The partnership first launched in 2022 and this year’s iteration enhances the already extensive wellness offering with a series of curated experiences for guests looking to rebalance their body, soul and mind.
Specialty Treatments Offered by Ananda at The Nautilus:
- Ananda Touch with Reflexology (90 Mins): A rhythmic flowing massage with rose-scented oils that release tension and stress combined with the stimulation of reflex points on the feet, restoring energy flow to the whole body and creating balance within the body and mind.
- Indian Head Massage with Reflexology (90 Mins): This ancient experience relaxes, tones, and eases muscle tension in the neck, head, scalp and shoulders. It also aids in the elimination of toxins by stimulating circulation, followed by a massage on the feet with the application of pressure on the soles, restoring healthy energy flow throughout.
- Indian Head Massage with Shiatsu (90 Mins): A traditional massage which provides deep relaxation in neck, head, scalp, and shoulders, guiding toxins out while leaving you feeling revitalized. This is followed by Shiatsu – a full body pressure point experience improving circulation and boosting the immune system.
- Himalayan Honey and Rose Facial with Foot Massage (90 Mins): This stimulating and refreshing facial uses a blend of sandalwood and rose essential oils. Pure organic honey harvested from the Himalayas is massaged into the skin and a mask of cooling cucumber is applied. While the mask hydrates your skin, enjoy a soothing foot massage where reflex points are stimulated.
- Ananda Moksha (90 Mins): Ananda Moksha is a full body massage which uses traditional Ayurvedic therapeutic techniques used for thousands of years in India. The holistic therapy is inspired by the concept of Moksha which signifies a liberation of the senses and a release for free flow of Prana or energy.
To secure your wellness getaway contact The Nautilus at hello@thenautilusmaldives.com to reserve your ultra-luxe bohemian summer escape. For more information visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com.
Awards
Maldives wins Best Beach Destination title at 2025 World Tourism Awards

Maldives has been honoured with the Best Beach Destination Award at the World Tourism Awards 2025 today being held in Brussels, Belgium.
This prestigious award honours the Maldives for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life.
The award was accepted on behalf of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu by Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, former President and Special Envoy of the President, during the award ceremony held as the culminating event of the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025.
In his remarks, Dr Waheed conveyed the President’s gratitude for the international recognition
The Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting, held under the theme “Redefining Tourism in a Changing World,” brings together global tourism leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to shape the future of the sector through innovation and collaboration.
This latest accolade reaffirms the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s most admired destinations and recognises its dedication to preserving its coastal environment.
Celebration
Spooky glamour takes over Lazuli Beach Club at SO/ Maldives

SO/ Maldives presents a bold fusion of avant-garde style and barefoot luxury, creating a distinctive island experience where fashion, art, and contemporary design converge. The resort embodies creativity and sophistication across its vibrant villas, dining venues, and beach clubs, inviting guests to embrace the high-energy spirit of “Style, Bold, and Playful.”
This Halloween, the resort will transform into an island of eerie elegance and playful mischief, offering guests an unconventional celebration on the shores of Lazuli Beach Club. On Friday, 31 October 2025, the day’s festivities will include activities for all ages, from imaginative workshops to moonlit gatherings by the sea.
The celebrations will begin with interactive family experiences at The Nest, including Mask Making, Tie-Dye Halloween T-Shirt Painting, and Scary Cookie Making. Children can also enjoy DIY Costume Creation, Face Painting, and a Trick-or-Treat Parade along Lazuli Beach Club. The daytime programme is designed to inspire creativity and fun for both young guests and adults.
As evening approaches, the atmosphere will take on a more mysterious tone. The Witches & Waves Dinner will be served beachside from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM, offering a four-course set menu accompanied by a themed welcome cocktail and a captivating ambience under the stars.
From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, guests can enjoy Spooky Special Cocktails at Lazuli Beach Club Bar with 50% off themed drinks, followed by the Spooky Halloween Party featuring DJ performances, glow body paint, and “witchy shoulder spells”—a five-minute charm that may win participants 50% off. The evening will culminate in the Glow Foam Party at 8:30 PM, combining music, lights, and foam against the backdrop of the moonlit sea.
“This isn’t your average haunted house; it’s a beachfront bash with a twist of glamour and a splash of mischief,” said Olivier Moies-Delval, General Manager of SO/ Maldives. “We’re reimagining Halloween in true SO/ style—bold, beautiful, and beyond expectations.”
Awards
Maldives secures spot in Condé Nast Traveller’s top 10 countries for food

The Maldives has been ranked among the Top 10 Countries for Food in the World in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, securing the 10th position with a score of 94.55.
The prestigious annual list, curated from thousands of reader votes worldwide, celebrates destinations that have delighted travellers with their culinary offerings and dining experiences. This year’s results highlight the Maldives’ growing global reputation not only as a luxury holiday destination, but also as a rising culinary powerhouse.
Condé Nast Traveller writes: “The Maldives is abundant with dreamy island resorts, all of which have their own even dreamier restaurants. It’s not every day that you glide straight onto the supper table, but at Soneva Fushi, your journey to its treetop private dining space involves a breathtaking, 200-metre zipline. Plus, with most of the gorgeous Maldives hotels offering extensive all-inclusive packages, there’s never a moment spare to go hungry. Scattered across almost 1,200 beautiful coral islands, the Maldives is a master of all things seafood, so expect the catch of the day to make an appearance in breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Don’t worry if a tuna flatbread doesn’t excite your morning taste buds either, as the myriad of coconut, mango, and papaya trees here make a wonderful fruit salad too.”
The recognition places the Maldives alongside globally celebrated culinary destinations such as Italy, Japan, and France, reaffirming its unique appeal where world-class dining meets unparalleled natural beauty. From underwater restaurants and treetop tables to island-inspired tasting menus, Maldivian resorts continue to innovate in gastronomy — blending international techniques with local ingredients such as reef fish, coconut, and tropical fruits.
Resorts such as The Nautilus Maldives, Soneva Fushi, JOALI Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, and Velaa Private Island have become synonymous with exceptional dining experiences that redefine island cuisine. Many of these properties feature Michelin-starred collaborations, sustainable sourcing practices, and culinary concepts that celebrate both global diversity and Maldivian heritage.
The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards remain one of the most respected benchmarks of excellence in the travel industry, reflecting the opinions of discerning travellers around the world.
The full list of Best Countries for Food in the World 2025 can be found on Condé Nast Traveller’s official website.
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